Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Picks and Prediction for Saturday, October 18, 2025
Use Code WWWC The Southern Miss Golden Eagles (4-2, 2-0 Sun Belt) visit Lafayette, Louisiana, and Cajun Field for a Sun Belt showdown on Saturday with the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (2-4, 1-1 Sun Belt). Southern Miss won its second straight when defeating Georgia Southern last time out. The Golden Eagles have won four of the last 5 and are tied for the lead with Troy in the West division of the Sun Belt. Louisiana lost to James Madison 24-14 last time out and has dropped three of its last four. The Ragin’ Cajuns are fourth in the West division of the Sun Belt. Southern Miss has four players listed as questionable. Louisiana will play without QB Walker Howard and WR Shelton Sampson Jr, while 10 others are questionable. Make sure to read this in-depth Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns prediction. Game day edge is here—check out our top NCAAF picks for Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns prediction today.
Southern Miss is above average on offense, but below average on defense
The Southern Miss Golden Eagles score an average of 32.2 (53rd) points per game and allow an average of 27.7 (95th) points per game. Southern Miss averages 147 yards rushing and 247.2 yards passing for 394.2 yards of total offense per game, which is 67th. The Southern Miss defense allows an average of 152.8 yards rushing and 243.8 yards passing for 396.7 yards per game, which is 105th.
Southern Miss quarterback Braylon Braxton has 1,473 yards passing with 13 touchdowns and three interceptions. Braxton has been sacked eight times. Jeffrey Pittman is leading Southern Miss in rushing with 346 yards and six touchdowns, with an average of 4.7 yards per carry. Carl Chester has 267 yards receiving with two touchdown receptions to lead the Golden Eagles. Kicker Reed Harradine has made each of his 13 extra points and is 5-for-8 in field goals. Linebacker Chris Jones is the leading tackler with 64, and lineman J’Mond Tapp is the leader in sacks with four. The Southern Miss defense has made 20 sacks and intercepted 11 passes.
Louisiana looking to make the pass
The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns score an average of just 25.8 points per game, which is 90th, while allowing an average of 30.8 points per game, which is 117th. Louisiana averages 326.8 yards of total offense per game, which is 113th. The Ragin’ Cajuns allow an average of 414.0 yards per game, which is 114th. Louisiana is 42nd in rushing, averaging 184.3 yards per game, while 129th in passing, averaging 142.5 yards per game.
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Louisiana quarterback Lunch Winfield started the most recent game and has thrown for 372 yards with four TDs and one interception. Daniel Beale has thrown for 395 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions. Walker Howard, the third QB to play for Louisiana this season, is currently sidelined with an oblique injury, though he's listed as questionable and has returned to practice after having surgery on Sept. 4. He last played on August 30 against Rice, completing 10 of 22 for 88 yards with a pick.
Zylan Perry has a team-best 411 yards rushing with 5 touchdowns, while Bill Davis has 335 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Robert Williams leads all receivers with 223 yards. Shelton's Sampson Jr has 150 yards receiving but is out injured. Kicker Tony Sterner has made each of his 17 extra point attempts and 8 of 12 in field goal attempts. Linebacker Jaden Dugger leads Louisiana in tackles with 22. Lineman Jaelen Crider is the leader in quarterback sacks with 1.5. Louisiana's defense has made 9.0 sacks and intercepted 4 passes.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs. Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Pick
Spread Pick for Southern Miss vs. Louisiana
- Southern Miss Golden Eagles -3.5 (4 units)
Southern Miss is on the road. The Golden Eagles have a solid offense that is 57th in passing at 247.2 yards per game and 67th in total offense at 394.2 yards per game. The Golden Eagles will face a Louisiana defense that is 133rd against the rush at 215.8 points per game, and Southern Miss will move the chains up and down the field repeatedly, keeping the Louisiana offense off the field while scoring on several sustained drives. Southern Miss has covered the spread in each of its last 10 games against Louisiana. The Ragin’ Cajuns will play without Sheldon Samson Jr, who is the second leading receiver, but at the time of his injury was leading Louisiana in receiving. Southern Miss has made 20 quarterback sacks and intercepted 11 passes. The Golden Eagles will pressure the Louisiana quarterback(s) all game.
Over/Under Pick for Southern Miss vs. Louisiana
- Under 53.5 (4 units)
Both Southern Miss and Louisiana will use their running game, which will eat up plenty of the clock. Louisiana has had the total finish under in four of its last six games played at home and in seven of the last eight games that the Ragin’ Cajuns played in October. Look for both teams to play conservatively, with run-first game plans on offense.
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